The National tribune., 1887-02-03
SOUTHERN LOBBYISTS
An Interesting Sketch Of the lSt Miss.
Mounted Rifles.
BY COL. W. W. JACKSON, WASHINGTON, D. C.


patches from post TO post, as Gen Forrest
seemed TO occupy every nook and corner OF the
intervening country. When detail was asked
for the duty of carrying dispatch TO cavalry
force then destroying railroads in Northern
Alabama and Mississippi, there was not man
but was anxious 10 face its perils, although
not yet mustered into service and entitled 10
the immunities of regularly enlisted soldiers
Upon these railroads the COnfederates relied for
supplies andS communication between the eX-
trome Southern States and their so-called Gov
ernment al Richmond, Va.
A hasty preparation Of % picked men was at
once made, and within three hours the detail
was armed and mounted dressed in their ordi-
nary clothing, and the unusual sight was pre-
sented Of what appeared to be a body Of Con-
federates reporting at headquarters for orders
As no mastering officer was present, no muster
ing into service had been made, nor for more
than eight months subsequent to this time was
there man among these Southern volunteers
except the officers who had been selected from
the veteran regiments TO command them, enti-
tied legally 10 the rations they ate or the arms
and equipments which they wore upon their
persons. With this FIRST detail commenced that
series
OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
that continued until the close Of the war, as
from that day the command was literally dis
integrated and its several portions scattered
from Memphis TO the Gulf, at any and every
place where their intimate knowledge of the
country rendered their services desirable.
From the ranks OF the lst Miss. Mounted
Rifles We're selected the guides and scouts, that
were designated as the Videts, in the expedition
Of Gen. A. J. Smith, whose destination would, if
left 10 himself, have carried him 10 Mobile, Ala,
but which, under the orders of timid council
terminated at Tupelo, Miss, and much against
the wishes and inclinatiUns Of that gallant old
hero carried him back where he could be utilized
in defending the Capital" at Memphis, Tenn.
The services of these men on this occasion were
never forgotten by Gen. Smith, and they were
again honored by being selected as the advance
in the expedition that terminated in his recall
again TO the Capital, when Forrest paid it a
visit and nearly captured headquarters with
Gen. Washburn and his Adjutant.
Again, when Gen. Sturgis was sent out TO
attack Forrest with an army composed OF about
6,000 troops and two regiments Of cottonfeld
negroes 10 take charge of his rations), from the
headquarters Of this regiment were hourly sent
dispatches notifying Gen. Mashburn at Mem
phis Of the hOpelessness Of attempting TO over
come the most enterprisinG and successful Con-
federate General in the West with less than
one-third the number Of men opposed TO him.
During the day previous TO the engagement
at GUntoWn, and while Gen. Sturgis was wait
ing orders from headquarters at Memphis,
seven different reports from the headquarters
of Gen. Forrest were made TO Gen. Washburn
by such veteran scouts as Jack Riley, Jack
Wright, and others OF the regiment, who were
known as reliable and competent, and the last
by Capt John Williams whose gallantry and
intrepid daring had made his name a watch
word among the rank and file Of both Federal
and Confederate armies. This gallant and meri-
torious soldier and scout whose services enti-
tied him 10 the confidence of his supeTiors, had
escaped from Tupelo, Miss, the headquarters
of Gen. Forrest, where he was prisoner, and
had brought with him a correct roster Of every
regiment, with report Of It's numerical
strength, attached TO the command Of Gen.
Forrest. This had been obtained through
means which he as a former member OF that
command, knew how to employ, and at once,
upon his arrival his report was laid before the
commanding General, who under the influence
Of his Adjntant, expressed his foubf Of its re-
liability, and ordered Gen. Sturgis 10 advance
The result could not have been otherwise
than that which succeeded. the news OF which
was brought 10 headquarters at Memphis by
the half-naked negroes, who fed in terror from
the field, throwing aside their arms and accou-
terments and every other impediment TO an
escape from its perils.
Following close upon the affair Of Guntown
came the word that Gen. Forrest contemplated
a raid through Tennessee 10 Kentucky, and
pected invasion. The Sixteenth Corps with
headquarters at Memphis, had been depleted 10
assist in the operations then going on 10 the
south and eastward, as Sherman was then pre-
pairing for the march TO the sea, which made
4 IL necessary to use double diligence on the part
ofthe comparatively few who were left TO oppose
I the operations Of Forrest. 1t was doubtless in
/ tended 10 make an attempt upon Memphis at this
1 time, If events proved proptious, bat with Gen.
HuTlbut IN command a disposition of the scanty
force was made that kept the Confederates at a
respectful distance. To tho eastward along
Il the line Of the Memphis d Charleston Railroad
were stationed at different points the raw regi-
ments who took the place of the veterans OF
] Shiloh, Coriuth and the Hatche who had been
4 drawn away by Gen. Sherman.
The labor OF watching and reporting upon
I Forests movements was almost entirely thrown
/ upon these Southern loyalists, and daily call:
were made upon the command for scouting de
tails These were furnished constantly until
al times ii looked in camp as though the regi
ment was disbanded During the month o.
june, 1864, mastering Of such men rs could bt
got together took place at Memphis, and thes,
men, who had been in active service since tht
Fall Of lsG3 were furnished with new unifonn
and paid for their services for the lrst time
The regiment was largely composed Of intelli
gent and patriotic men, who had bat one mo
tive in serving under the United States flag
that Of
DUTY TO THE COUNTRY.